Handguns

[-ammo-]

For self defense, I am not a big fan of a single action handgun.  Unless you are VERY familiar with it and confident you can use it effectively in a "stressful" situation. I would much rather have the ability to simply pull the trigger.

[Flench]

For self defense, I am not a big fan of a single action handgun.  Unless you are VERY familiar with it and confident you can use it effectively in a "stressful" situation. I would much rather have the ability to simply pull the trigger.

I have to agree with you there .

[mbailey]

Whatever you get stay away from the Kel-Tec  when I was a range officer I saw more functioning issues with them than any other handgun I can remember.  When I worked in the store, I told people I'd rather carry a sharp stick than a KT because if I needed to defend myself, I knew the sharp stick would be more reliable.  It was always a when would it fail instead of if it would fail

If I'm tucking something in my pocket (no holster) I like my Seecamp 32cal, Colt Mustang 380cal, or S&W Mod 60 .38cal.  Corbon makes excellent SD rounds for all of them

[Flench]

Ok mbailey . Thanks for the tip .

[mbailey]

Really can't go wrong with a revolver.....and I don't think I've ever seen one fail. Guys at the shop use to love their Taurus wheel guns.  Don't have much exp with Rossi, but it's a wheelgun, not much to go wrong

More importantly, hope the scumbags don't give you any troubles. Stay Safe!

[Flench]

Thanks mbailey . They know not to screw with me at my house . I just don't want to get caught out some where like coming from church and get jumped . I can't fight like I use to could for I have fibrosis of the liver now so I got to have something to back me up .

[Brooke]

For self defense, I am not a big fan of a single action handgun.  Unless you are VERY familiar with it and confident you can use it effectively in a "stressful" situation. I would much rather have the ability to simply pull the trigger.

I like that it's a revolver (also is inexpensive at $200 and very light at 4.5 oz), but there are a few just a little bigger that aren't revolvers and that are double action or semi-auto.


Kel-tec P-32 ($320, 6.6 oz)


Seecamp LWS .32 ($450, 11.5 oz)


NAA guardian .32 ACP  ($400-$430, 13.5 oz)


Ruger LCP .380 ($379, 9.4 oz)

[Brooke]

mbailey, thanks for the info on Kel-tec vs. Seecamp.

[Flench]

Wonder why such a small gun run so much money . You know it's not that much material in them . Look's like they be cheaper than they are . I did not give but $600 for my Browning 270 but that was 30 year's ago .

[caldera]

This is my cc gun:




Can be had for under $300.  Small but not too small and has a good reputation. 

[Oldman731]

What would you guy's recommend for a small handgun that can fit in your pocket ?

Most of the suggested guns thus far will not fit in your pocket, unless you're Santa Claus.

Pocket-size guns condemn you to .22 LR, .22 Mag, .380 or one of the two-shot derringers.  There's a recent thread with that discussion, the conclusion seemed to be that it didn't much matter.  For myself, on the assumption that the bigger hole is more important for low-power cartridges, I've favored the .380, and I carry my Ruger LCP every day.  I keep wishing someone could make a small revolver, because you don't have to worry about smokestack jams and that sort of thing, but it hasn't happened yet.

Know that (except for the .22s) these are very unpleasant guns to shoot.  But that's not why you're carrying one.

- oldman

[SilverZ06]

I carried a S&W 360pd and I loved it. I'm trying to get the funds up to buy it back from my buddy. I regret selling it. It fits perfectly in your front pocket and has a big punch (it does kick a wee bit though).

[Flench]

I carried a S&W 360pd and I loved it. I'm trying to get the funds up to buy it back from my buddy. I regret selling it. It fits perfectly in your front pocket and has a big punch (it does kick a wee bit though).

(Image removed from quote.)

Looks cool too .

[SmokinLoon]

A snub nosed .38 Special from a reputable make such as Smith and Wesson, Ruger, etc, would be my suggestion to someone for what you're asking for.

 

[Rich46yo]

That Buckeye report had to be one of the most unscientific studies Ive ever read. You would have to be insane to carry a .22 purposely. Even more insane to carry a .25 . Acceptable carry rounds start at .38/9mm and in the size you can get them now why on earth would you bother with less?

OK many havnt much experience with handgun wounds and shootings. But many of you are Hunters and know the importance of shot placement with adequate calibers and well constructed bullets. Its no difference with self defense. If you carry some .22 2 shot Derringer you must not place much value in your life, "tho I guess it beats praying". Its just not a good self defense weapon/caliber.

Remember, killing the bad guy is not the objective. The objective is "survival". What good is it if the BG bleeds out 3 mins AFTER killing you? Sounds like a failed shoot to me. Which is why one should carry and adequate weapon/round for self defense. And not just that but also adequate shooting skills which have to include being able to shoot on the move, being able to get to your weapon quickly and smoothly, and being able to put multiple rounds in the vital areas of the BGs body.

The Ruger .380 is the minimum I carry. I always have a 7 round clip in it and a reload. I'd prefer a 9mm and 2 reloads which is what I used to carry off duty all the time. Optimum would be to carry both. The one off duty shoot I had was with a .38 snub SW M-36 and 158 grn +P LHPs. This is a load we have shot a lot of BGs with and it has performed very well. I think advice to go with such a gun and round is very sound.